SPECIAL MEETING SLATED FOR CONTRACTOR `GRIPES'

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- A split City Council Monday voted to hold a special meeting April 26 to field complaints from contractors, architects, realtors and developers concerning the city's building inspection practices.

The meeting was suggested by Mayor Gene Rhodes, who said he's received numerous complaints from building-trades representatives about the way the city's inspection division handles building permits and inspections.

Rhodes suggested that a City Council meeting be held to allow contractors to voice their complaints "without fear of reprisals" from the inspection staff.

But members of the city staff contended there have been few complaints and fears of "inspector reprisals" are unwarranted.

City Manager J. Ronald Fischer said the inspection staff conducts biannual meetings with building-trades representatives to field concerns about inspection policies, city codes and licensing requirements.

City Planner Kent Bratton said the meetings generally have "very little turnout," an indication that there aren't widespread problems.

Rhodes said many contractors, engineers and architects are afraid to criticize the inspection staff because they fear retaliation.

"There won't be any reprisals," said Bratton. "I've told them that."

"Then you're not making believers of them," Rhodes replied.

Councilman Al Spradling III said he thought the staff should be included in such a meeting and be allowed to prepare responses to any complaints.

"Are we going to have the staff prepare something, or is it going to just be a gripe session for contractors?" he asked.

"I think right now it ought to just be a gripe session," said Rhodes.

But Spradling said he didn't think it was fair to open inspectors up to criticism without allowing them a chance to defend themselves.

"I don't think this is a proper forum to allow people to take shots at the staff," he said. "I don't think it's a proper way to deal with it."

Council members David Barklage and Mary Wulfers said they thought a public hearing on the matter could be conducted as part of a regular council meeting. But Rhodes said construction-trades people would be better able to attend a Friday meeting.

Spradling and Councilmen David Limbaugh and David Barklage voted against holding the special meeting. Councilmen Doug Richards, Hugh White and Mary Wulfers joined Rhodes in approving the meeting.

Assistant City Manager Al Stoverink said he thought the city staff has a "very good relationship" with contractors. "We've had a lot more communication in the last six months than we've had in a long time," he said.

In other business, the council discussed a proposal by the Cape Girardeau County League of Women Voters to amend the city charter.

One of the suggested amendments to the charter was that the mayor be elected by the council from among its members rather than by at-large city elections.

Kay Braasch of the league asked that an election be held to select a charter commission to draft the amendments.

The council took no action on the amendment proposals. Some council members questioned if the amendments were the consensus of the league or if they were suggested by members of the council who attended a league meeting last fall where the matter was discussed.

Braasch said the amendments were proposed and discussed prior to the meetings, which all the council members were invited to attend. Limbaugh, who attended the meeting with Barklage, said he was told at that meeting that other council members were invited.

"After the meeting it came out in the press like we were pushing for changes," he said. "The impetus did not come from the council then, and it certainly is not from us now."